Compressed growing medium

ABSTRACT

A growing medium includes a bulking agent and a water-retentive polymer blended together and compressed at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging from about 2:1 to about 10:1, being substantially free of a water-soluble binder material.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/368,216 filed Feb. 9, 2009, which applicationwas a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/993,599 filedNov. 19, 2004, both entitled “COMPRESSED GROWING MEDIUM,” whichapplications are incorporated herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Pre-seeded soil mixtures, such as germinating mixes, potting soils, peatcubes and compressed pellets, have been used in forestry, agricultural,commercial and home uses. These mixtures contain seeds dispersed in asoil mixture that is later deposited to allow the seeds to germinate andgrow. These mixtures thus obviate time-consuming labor, such as digging,tilling and cultivating. Some mixtures are also used in indoor andoutdoor pots and planters. Most soil mixtures are usually free frominsects, diseases and weeds and have enough fertilizer incorporated forthe first few weeks of plant growth. However, because of the favorableenvironment provided by the soil mixtures the seeds tend to germinateduring storage or transport of the soil mixture before the mixture isdeposited for its intended use. The seedlings are bulky and often becomeroot-bound, resulting in limited time periods for storage andtransportation. They are also exposed to injury and to unfavorableenvironmental conditions, resulting in excessively high mortality ratesof the seedlings.

In order to prevent easy germination and seed mortality, soil mixtureshave been compressed into soil wafers or pellets to provide easy modesof transporting the soil mixtures while limiting the water necessary forgermination. However, these compressed wafers may not effectivelyprevent water intrusion or germination of the seeds.

SUMMARY

A growing medium includes a bulking agent and a water-retentive polymerblended together and compressed at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging fromabout 2:1 to about 10:1, preferably from about 5:1 to about 10:1, andmore preferably from about 7:1 to about 8:1, and being substantiallyfree of a water-soluble binder material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the presentsystem and method and are a part of the specification. The illustratedembodiments are merely examples of the present system and method and donot limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a methodof making a compressed soil mixture.

FIG. 2 a is a flow diagram depicting another exemplary embodiment of amethod of making a compressed soil mixture.

FIG. 2 b is a flow diagram depicting another exemplary embodiment of amethod of making a compressed soil mixture.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting another exemplary embodiment of amethod of making a compressed soil mixture.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram depicting another exemplary embodiment of amethod of making a compressed soil mixture.

FIG. 5 depicts one exemplary embodiment of a compressed soil pelletmixture.

FIG. 6 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a compressed soil pelletmixture.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a compressed soil wafer.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a grow bag.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary system and method for implementing a compressed growingmedium with reduced seed germination is disclosed herein. Morespecifically, a compressed growing medium is disclosed that contains awater-retentive polymer, but contains no binder material, such aspolyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Numerous specific details are set forth forpurposes of explanation and to provide a thorough understanding of thepresent system and method for implementing a compressed growing medium.It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that thepresent products and methods may be practiced without these specificdetails. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearance of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the growing medium comprises abulking agent in combination with a water retentive polymer and othercomponents as described below.

A hydrophilic fibrous bulking agent forms the majority of the growingmedium. Generally, the bulking agent ranges from about 50% to about 98%of the growing medium. Examples of the bulking agent include coir, peat,cotton, mineral wool, paper pulp, peat bark, birch bark, wool and/orhair. In one embodiment the bulking agent comprises coir dust with asmall amount of short to medium length coir fibers, and possibly otherparts of the coconut that might enhance drainage and growth. Coir fibersassist in drainage of water while the coir dust enhances the expansionof the growing medium.

The bulking agent used in the growing medium is also dehydrated, havinga moisture of content of about 20% or less, and preferably of about 18%or less, and more preferably of about 11% or less. Using a dehydratedbulking agent helps maintain the potency of all growing mediumcomponents, including fertilizers and seeds. Using a dehydrated bulkingagent in a pre-seeded growing medium also enhances the ability of theseeds to live longer. It is understood that climatic conditions afterproduction may affect the moisture content and appropriate packaging maybe required to prevent this while the growing medium is in storage ortransit.

The bulking agent that is used in the growing medium is also alow-compressed bulking agent. By using a low-compressed bulking agentthe speed of dehydration and expansion of the growing medium isincreased, and the expanded volume of the growing medium is usuallyequal to or greater than its volume before it is dehydrated andcompressed. The dehydrated, low-compressed bulking agent also maintainsthe growing medium substantially free from all insects, diseases andweeds. A low compressed bulking agent is an bulking agent that has beencompressed at a volume-to-volume ratio of not more than about 3:1. Thus,in some instances it may be necessary to decompress compressed coir to avolume-to-volume ratio of about 3:1 or less.

The grind size of the bulking agent helps to control the structuralintegrity of the growing medium even when wet, and also affects theexpansion process. Generally, the grind size of the bulking agentdepends on various factors of the growing medium, such as its size incompressed form, the size and type of any seeds included in the growingmedium, and the amount of water drainage needed. Thus, the grind size isinfluenced by the location of use of the growing medium since theatmospheric conditions of locations vary from arid to humid, and sincedifferent climate zones support different types of seeds. Generally, thebulking agent grind size range from being able to pass through anapproximately ⅛ inch mesh screen to being able to pass through anapproximately 1 inch mesh screen.

The bulking agent may also include any added natural porous substratethat enhances the bulking agent, such as by adding beneficial nutrientsor improving water drainage. Examples of suitable natural poroussubstrates include, but are not limited to, pine bark, fir bark, redwoodbark, hardwood bark, polystyrene foam, sawdust, rock wool, perlite,vermiculite, scoria, composted organic materials, shale rock, calcinedclay pellets and volcanic pumice. These porous substrates enhance therate of water percolation or drainage pulled by gravity and the quantityof water stored after drainage.

The growing medium also includes one or more water-retentive polymers.These polymers, also called superabsorbing polymers (SAP's), arehydrophobic materials that can absorb fluid and retain it under pressurewithout dissolution in the fluid being absorbed. The materials used aregenerally all synthesized by one of two routes. In the first, a watersoluble polymer is cross-linked so that it can swell between cross-linksbut not dissolve. In the second, a water-soluble monomer isco-polymerized with a water-insoluble monomer into blocks. Generally,the water-retentive polymer is a non-foamed polymer. Suitablewater-retentive polymers include, but are not limited to, saponifiedstarch graft polyacrylonitrile copolymers, polyacrylic acid, polymalsiaanhydride-vinyl monomer superabsorbents, starch-polyacrylic acid grafts,polyacrylonitrile based polymers, cross-linked polyacrylamide,cross-linked sulfonated polystyrene, cross-linked n-vinyl pyrrolidone orvinyl pyrrolidone-acrylamide copolymer, and polyvinyl alcoholsuperabsorbents. These polymers absorb many times their own weight inaqueous fluid. Additional suitable water-retentive polymers include, butare not limited to sodium propionate-acrylamide, poly(vinyl pyridine),polyethylene imine, polyphosphates, poly(ethylene oxide), vinyl alcoholcopolymer with acrylamide, and vinyl alcohol copolymer with acrylic acidacrylate. Combinations of the above polymers may also be used, dependingon the intended use of the growing medium, and the desired absorptionand release rates of water and nutrients.

In one exemplary embodiment the water-retentive polymer is a potassium-or sodium-based polymer, such as a synthetic polyacrylate/polyacrylamidecopolymer. Like many absorbent polymers, it can absorb many hundredtimes its weight in water. In an embodiment, the absorbent polymer isacrylamide/potassium acrylate copolymer. Potassium-based polymers arenon-toxic and do not cause harm to the environment. Additionally,potassium is a nutrient that promotes plant development. Generally, thewater-retentive polymer used ranges up to about 25% by dry weight ofpotassium acrylate acrylamide copolymer, more preferably in an amountfrom about 2% to about 15% by dry weight of the growing medium.

The growing medium may also include a non-ionic surfactant or emulsifierthat wets the dry hydrophilic bulking agent and decreases surfacetension that would otherwise prevent water take up. Thus, the surfactantincreases the rate at which the bulking agent absorbs water. Suitablesurfactants include, but are not limited topolyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block co-polymers; alkanol amides,betamol derivatives; block co-polymers comprising a series ofcondensates of ethylene oxide with hydrophobic bases formed bycondensing propylene oxide with proylene glycol; ethyoxylated compoundscomprising alcohols, alkyl phenols, amines and amides, alkylphenolethoxylates, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, oxo-alcohol polyethyleneglycol ethers, alkylphenol-ethoxylates, fatty or oxo-alcoholpolyethylene glyco ethers, and hydrophilic and hydrophobic blockcopolymers. In one embodiment the non-ionic surfactant ispolyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer in an amount from about0.001% to about 3.5% by dry weight of the total matrix.

The growing medium is also free of a water soluble binder material.Conventional growing media having a water-retentive polymer also containa water soluble binder material, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA),polyvinyl acetate or a polyacrylate, to bind a growing medium togetherwhen wet and help to maintain the structural integrity of the growingmedium. However, the compressed growing medium described herein does notrequire a binder material to maintain its structural integrity, and thuscontains no PVA or other binder material.

The growing medium may also contain various other components. In oneembodiment, the compressed growing medium includes seeds, therebyforming a pre-seeded compressed growing medium. The pre-seeded,compressed growing medium protects seeds against injury and enhances theconditions for germination and growth of seeds and plants. When wetted,the growing medium yields a gel that can bond to a growing surface, suchas ground soil, localizing the seedling to grow at that point andbinding the growing medium to the roots.

A pre-seeded, compressed growing medium typically uses a water retentivepolymer that has a water absorbtivity from about 50 to about 600 timesits weight. At such absorption levels, the entire composition uponexposure to rainfall or watering is converted to a wet, gas-permeablegel that protects and bonds the seed to the ground during germination.

The compressed growing medium may also contain a fertilizer. Themajority of the added fertilizer is in water-insoluble granular form,and may be either organic or inorganic. The fertilizer also usually doesnot inhibit the water absorption or release functions of thewater-retentive polymer. The specific fertilizer used in the compressedsoil is specifically targeted to a particular plant or plants andgeographical region, since different regions and plants can be benefitedby different fertilizers. The fertilizer is preferably configured andchosen to contain nutrients that are effective for up to about 8 weeks.Examples of suitable fertilizers include, but are not limited to,manures, bone meals, blood meals, cottonseed meal, fish emulsion, sewagesludge, compost, urea, ureaform, isobutylidene diurea, slow-releasefertilizers, sulfur-coated urea, oxamide, melamine, calcium nitrate,ammonium bicarbonate, nitrate of soda, calcium cyanamide, ammoniumsulphate (sulphate of ammonia), calcium ammonium nitrate (limestoneammonium nitrate), ammonium chloride, ammonium sulphate nitrate,nitrogen solutions, ammonium nitrate, anhydrous ammonia, basic slag,single superphosphate, rock phosphate (raw), dicalcium phosphate, triplesuperphosphate, kainit, potassium magnesium sulphate (sulphate of potashmagnesia), potassium chloride (muriate of potash), potassium sulphate(sulphate of potash), mono (di)-ammonium phosphate, ammoniatedsuperphosphates, ammoniated polyphosphates, nitrophosphates, potassiumnitrate, potassic slag, potassic superphosphates, compound fertilizers,complex fertilizers, mixed fertilizers, bulk blend and combinationsthereof.

The compressed growing medium may also contain other components, such asnutrients, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, plant growth enhancers,or other beneficial components known to those of skill in the art. Thesecomponents are absorbed, stored and released by the water-retentivepolymer(s) on a consistent level as needed by the plants.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary method of making a compressed growingmedium, both pre-seeded and non-seeded. The coir and/or other bulkingagents are first dehydrated to about 20% moisture content or less in anair circulating oven set to approximately 95° C. (step 100). Preferably,the bulking agent is dehydrated to 18% or less humidity, and morepreferably to about 11% or less humidity. If necessary, the bulkingagent is also decompressed to a volume-to-volume ratio of about 3:1 orless. The growing medium components, including the bulking agent, thewater-retentive polymer and any other additional components, are thenblended together with a blender or other mixer (step 110). The mixtureis then transported by an auger (screw type conveyer) to a hopper thatfeeds a press (step 115). The auger takes air out of the mixture andkeeps the mixture blended, which could separate if left standing for aperiod of time.

The growing medium, whether pre-seeded or non-seeded, is then compressedat a volume-to-volume ratio ranging from about 2:1 to about 10:1 inorder to provide a compressed growing medium suitable for packaging,shipment and sale (step 120). Preferably the growing medium iscompressed at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging from about 5:1 to about10:1, and more preferably from about 7:1 to about 8:1. The growingmedium is typically compressed into bricks, slabs, wafers, pellets,cubes, triangles and any other shape. If the compressed growing mediumincludes seeds, its size and shape may be determined by the size of theincluded seeds and what is necessary to protect those seeds duringcompression. The terms “wafer” and “pellet” as used herein are notlimited to any one shape, but may include shapes that are spherical,elliptical, egg-shaped, square, rectangular, crescent, convex, concave,flat or any other regular or irregular shape. The compressed bricks,slabs, wafers and pellets may then be packaged in pouches, grow-bags,cans, canisters, jars, boxes, and other packages known to those of skillin the art (step 150). The compressed soil, if containing seeds, is thenvacuum packed to keep the environment dry and consistent to increaseseed life longevity.

FIGS. 2-4 depict various embodiments of methods of making pre-seeded,compressed growing medium wafers and pellets. In one embodiment, asshown in FIG. 2, pre-seeded, compressed wafers and pellets are made byfirst blending together the growing medium components (step 200) in themanner described above. Seeds are then added to this medium (step 210),which is then blended together by means of a mixing apparatus so as toproduce a homogenous, or substantially homogenous, pre-seeded growingmedium (step 220). The seeded mixture is then compressed at about roomtemperature to form a pre-seeded, compressed growing medium (step 230).The compression can be carried out by means of a pressing device, suchas a compactor or two form cylinders rotating in opposite directions. Ifthe growing medium is compressed while containing the seed, a lowerpressure may be used to prevent injury to the seed. The pressure ortonnage used varies depending on the seed size and the compressed shapethat particular seed needs, and is usually at about the maximum pressurepossible that does not injure the seed(s) embedded in the mixture). Inone embodiment, shown in FIG. 2 b, the growing medium is compressed withconcurrent agitation, such as by an auger, in order to thoroughly mixall components of the growing medium and prevent settling of heaviercomponents, such as the water-retentive polymers, fertilizers and seeds(step 230 b). The pre-seeded, compressed growing medium may then bemolded, shaped or formed into wafers and/or pellets (step 240). Thewafers and/or pellets are then packaged to reduce germination (step250), as will be described in further detail below.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a pre-seeded, compressedgrowing medium wafer is made by first preparing a growing medium fromthe above-described components (step 300). This growing medium is thenpressed at high pressures (approximately 7500 psi) (step 310) before theseed is added to the growing medium (step 320). The pressure usuallyvaries, depending on the shape of the compressed growing medium andwhether it includes seeds or not. If the size of the compressed growingmedium is small, any seeds are typically mixed in to the growing mediumbefore compression. For larger compressed growing medium configurations,such as bricks, slabs or cubes the seed is added after the compression.The size of the cavity to hold the seed is determined by the size of theparticular seed type used. Once the seed is placed in the cavity, thecavity opening is plugged (step 330) with a suitable material that willremain in place once dried and that is not toxic to the seed orgerminating plant. In one embodiment the growing medium cavities areplugged with a paste composed of 50% by dry weight dry peat and 50% bydry weight of an aqueous solution containing 11.25% by dry weight PVAand 0.125% by dry weight non-ionic surfactant. Other materials may beused to plug the seed cavity, such as silicate clays. The compressedgrowing medium is then formed into wafers and pellets (step 340) andthen packaged for sale (step 350).

In any method used, since heat may be released during the pressingprocess it may be necessary to design the pressing device and to carryout the pressing process in a manner to keep the temperature of thedifferent constituents of the wafers or pellets, and in particular thetemperature of the grains of seed contained therein, from exceeding 35°C., and preferably from exceeding 30° C., so that the germinatingability of the grains of seed will not be negatively affected. After thewafers or pellets have been pressed, or possibly while they are beingpressed, they may be cooled down again to normal room temperature ofabout 20° C. to 25° C., such as by passing an air stream through them orby exposing them to ambient temperature.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, compressed seed pellets areformed by first preparing a growing medium (step 400). A source ofagronomic seeds are then contacted with a granulation pan (step 410).The growing medium is then contacted with the granulation pan (step 420)and the mixture is granulated (step 430) in the granulation pan to formpellets of encapsulated agronomic seeds. The compressed seed pellets maythen be packaged (step 450), as described below.

Other methods for forming compressed pellets include spraying seedswhile rotating in a mixer, the use of drum coaters, fluidized bedtechniques, Wurster air suspension coating processes, pan coaters andspouted beds. In each of these methods the seeds may be presized priorto coating.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the pre-seeded compressed growing medium wafers(700) and pellets (500, 600) generally contain seeds (510, 610, 710)uniformly dispersed throughout the soil mixture (520, 620, 720). Theseeds used in the growing medium (510, 610, 710) may include, but arenot limited to, seeds for vegetables, flowers, trees, grasses, herbs,grains, crops, and other plants. The wafers (700) and pellets (500, 600)each contain at least one grain of seed, but may contain, depending onthe type and size of the grains of seed, at least 2, preferably at least4 or up to not more than 15 grains of seed. The grains of seed (510,610, 710) are generally distributed uniformly over the entire volume ofthe wafers or pellets. In one embodiment the wafers (700) and pellets(500, 600) contain a variety or mixture of any of the above seeds. Inone embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the growing medium includes compressedpellets (500) in which each pellet (500) includes a seed (510), such asgrass seeds, encapsulated in the growing medium (520). This embodimentis particularly useful in creating large, grassy areas such as in sportsarenas, parks and playing fields. In a further embodiment, shown in FIG.6, some of the compressed pellets (600) include seeds (610) encapsulatedin the growing medium (620) while other pellets (630) contain a growingmedium (620), but have no seeds.

As illustrated in the exemplary methods mentioned above, the pre-seeded,compressed growing medium wafers and pellets can be packaged to minimizeand reduce germination of the seeds during storage and transport. (steps150, 250, 350, 450) Since many factors contribute to seed germination,such as seed viability, ambient moisture, proper temperature, ampleoxygen, and light, many methods are available to alter these factors toreduce seed germination during storage and transport. Maintaininghumidity and/or oxygen levels at the lowest possible levels in thepackaging is an efficient way of reducing premature seed germination andincreasing the longevity of seed life before germination. Suitablemethods for producing a dehydrated packaging include vacuum-packing,pillow packing, controlled atmosphere packing, modified atmospherepacking, desiccant packing, and other methods known to those of skill inthe art.

In one embodiment the pre-seeded, compressed growing medium wafers andpellets are vacuum-packed. Vacuum packing is a process whereby airand/or the water in it are evacuated from a storage bag or container,thus decreasing the oxygen content and humidity in and around the soilmixture. Generally, the vacuum-packing process may be carried out by anyprocess or apparatus known to those of skill in the art. Conventionalvacuum-sealing or vacuum-packing machinery may be used, such as externalclamp pouch machines, external clamp snorkel machines (also known asretractable nozzle machines) and chamber machines.

In other embodiment the wafers and pellets are packaged by pillowpacking, controlled atmosphere packing or modified atmosphere packing.In these methods, after the growing medium is vacuum-packaged a gas orcombination of gases is injected into the package to yield a packagethat has substantially all atmospheric oxygen removed but is not drawndown tight around the growing medium. Suitable gases include, but arenot limited to nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfurdioxide, and inert gases such as helium, argon, xenon and neon. Theadded gas or gases reduces the pressure generated by the package on thegrowing medium and seeds. These anoxic packages contain little to nooxygen, thus greatly inhibiting seed germination while permitting ahigher moisture content to help maintain the integrity of the growingmedium structure. In another embodiment, the compressed growing mediumis vacuum freeze dried before packing.

In yet another embodiment, the growing medium is packaged with adesiccant to reduce the ambient humidity. Suitable desiccants include,but are not limited to, silica gel, clays, calcium oxide, calciumsulfate, calcium chloride, molecular sieves, charcoal, alumina, aluminosilicate, calcium fluoride, lithium chloride, starches, a zeolite,barium oxide, magnesium perchlorate, glycerin, calcium hydride,phosphoric anhydride, phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, sulfuricacid, ethylene glycol, barium oxide, sodium sulfate and combinationsthereof. In another embodiment, inert gas may also be introduced intothe package to replace air and/or moisture. Including a desiccant orinert gas significantly reduces humidity, thus greatly reducing seedgermination.

The packages used for packaging the growing medium according to theabove methods include, but are not limited to jars, cans, plasticpouches, standard flat vacuum pouches, and other packages known to thoseof skill in the art. In one embodiment the package comprises vacuumpouches made of multi-layered nylon and polyethylene. In anotherembodiment the package comprises plastic cans such as tennis ball cans.Since the vacuum-packing and other methods of packing described aboveare used to produce substantially dehydrated and anoxic packages forreduced seed germination, other methods of packing known to those ofskill in the art that do not reduce humidity or oxygen content can beused for a compressed growing medium that is not pre-seeded.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, the compressed growing medium ispackaged in a grow bag (800). The grow bag (800) generally includes asealed plastic bag (810) that contains a compressed growing medium (820)inside, typically in a brick or slab form. The compressed bricks orslabs can range up to about 6 lbs, and are typically packaged in theplastic bag by vacuum-packing or other methods as described above thatmaintain the appropriate atmospheric conditions for reduced seedgermination and enhanced seed longevity. The compressed growing medium(820) can also contain seeds (830) if it is a pre-seeded growing medium.The pre-seeded growing medium allows a user to just add water to beginthe germination process. The plastic bag (810) is usually made from abreathable plastic, such as co-extruded polyethylene, polypropylene. Theplastic used may also be configured to be rot-resistant, UV resistant,and/or weather resistant. The grow bag (800) obviates the need for aplanter or pot because plants (840) can be planted in the grow bag (800)by cutting a hole (850) in the plastic bag (810) and planting in theexposed growing medium (820). Grow bags of this type are commonly usedin horticulture and hydrophonic green house industries for growingstrawberries, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and are also used in thefloriculture industry for roses, gerbera and many more highly demandedseasonal and non-seasonal flowers.

The grow bag provides many benefits over traditional grow bags orgrowing media. Since the growing medium (820) used in the grow bag (800)contains a water-retentive polymer, the need for drainage holes can beeliminated since the polymer retains most of the moisture. The grow bags(800) also are easy to transport and take up little space since thegrowing medium (820) is compressed. When wetted, the growing mediumexpands and provides an enhanced growing environment for plants. Plants(840) grown in the grow bag (800) quickly develop more elaborate andstronger root systems and have significantly reduced root diseases(recent studies strongly suggest coir inhibits Pithium and Phytothoragrowth). The grow bags (800) are also recyclable and easy to handle ordispose.

The grow bag (800) may be fluted with pre-punched drain holes (860). Thegrow bag may also contain perforated sections (870) that can be manuallytorn and removed to expose the growing medium (820) for planting or toexpose the growing medium (820) to improve aeration and access tosunlight and to remove the plastic bag (810) as a barrier to plant andseedling growth. Other drainage perforated sections (880) can be removedto provide water drainage holes. The plastic bag may also be printedwith instructions where to pierce the bag, where the seeds have beenplaced, where seeds are to be placed and where the other materials suchas the nutrients and polymers have been equally dispersed in the growingmedium.

Generally, the compressed growing medium, whether in bricks, slabs,wafers and pellets, cubes or other shapes can be used anywhere aconventional soil or growing medium is used, including sports fields,parks, home lawns, gardens, indoor pots, outdoor pots, greenhouses,nurseries, farms, forests, and other agricultural, forest, commercialand home uses. By compressing the growing medium and packaging it toreduce germination, the seeds in the soil mixture live longer, therebyproducing a higher quality product when it is deposited for its intendeduse. The compressed, packaged growing medium is also easier to transportand handle, being roughly 10% of the weight or a traditional plantingmedium.

The wafers and pellets can be deposited according to any method known tothose of skill in the art, such as by hand or with machinery. Afterdepositing the wafers and pellets, water is added to the soil mixture.When the soil mixture is wetted it becomes gel-like, expands, and bondsto the soil localizing the seedling's growth at the point the seedcapsule is deposited. Approximately one inch of rain is required toactivate the preferred capsule matrix; however, water requirements canbe varied in light of local climate conditions, seed requirements, andresulting proportions of matrix components. The resulting gel-likestructure permits the exchange of oxygen and the retention of water thatare essential for the germination of the seeds. It also forms amechanical barrier to predators. In addition, the encapsulating processpermits the optional inclusion of nutrients, fertilizers and fungicidesselected to address local conditions. In other embodiments the soilmixture includes commercial fungicides such as Banlate™ at levels to5000 ppm, Ridamil™ at levels to 50 ppm, and Thiaram™ at levels up to 25ppm without toxic effect to the seeds, the polymers or the nutrientsthat might be added.

Precise ratios of ingredients affect the most advantageouscharacteristics of the growing medium. The particular use made of thegrowing medium and local growing conditions will dictate the ratioschosen. Generally the growing medium, when wetted, holds sufficientwater to supply the needs of the germinating seeds, bedding plant, orhouse plant, but not hold so much to subject the seed or plant to adeleterious amount of water. The combination of componentcharacteristics in the growing medium yields a product that hasqualities of performance, convenience and cost-effectiveness.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate anddescribe exemplary embodiments of the present system and method. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the system and method to anyprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of thesystem and method be defined by the following claims.

1. A method of making a growing medium, comprising: blending adehydrated bulking agent, including coir, and a non-ionic surfactant oremulsifier; and compressing said dehydrated bulking agent, includingcoir, and said non-ionic surfactant or emulsifier at a volume-to-volumeratio ranging from about 3:1 to about 10:1; wherein said compressedgrowing medium is not hydrophobic and maintains a compressed shapewithout a water soluble binder until hydrated.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said dehydrated bulking agent comprises less than 20% moisturecontent.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said dehydrated bulking agentis compressed at a volume-to-volume ratio between 1:1 and 3:1 prior tosaid blending with said non-ionic surfactant or emulsifier.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: forming said growing medium intoa wafer, pellet, brick, slab, cube or triangle.
 5. The method of claim1, further comprising adding a fertilizer, nutrients, a pesticide, aninsecticide, or a fungicide to said growing medium.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said compressing further includes agitating saidgrowing medium prior to said compression.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising cooling said growing medium to between 20° C. and 25°C. during said compression of said dehydrated bulking agent.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said growing medium is maintained below about35° C. during said formation of said growing medium.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising forming said compressed growing medium intoan irregular shape.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising addingseeds to said compressed growing medium.
 11. A method of making agrowing medium, comprising: dehydrating a ground coir bulking agenthaving a grind size between ⅛ inch mesh and 1 inch mesh to less than 20%moisture content; adding a non-ionic surfactant or emulsifier to saiddehydrated ground coir bulking agent; compressing said bulking agent andsaid non-ionic surfactant or emulsifier at a volume-to-volume ratioranging from about 5:1 to about 10:1; wherein said compressed bulkingagent and non-ionic surfactant or emulsifier is free of a water solublebinder; and wherein said compressed bulking agent and non-ionicsurfactant or emulsifier is maintained below about 35° C. during saidformation of said growing medium.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinsaid ground coir comprises coir dust and short coir fibers.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising grinding said coir to passthrough a mesh screen ranging in size from between ⅛ of an inch to 1inch.
 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising forming saidmaintained compressed shape into an irregular shape.
 15. The method ofclaim 12, wherein said irregular shape comprises a non-symmetricalshape.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising forming saidgrowing medium into a wafer, pellet, brick, slab, cube or triangle. 17.The method of claim 12, further comprising adding a fertilizer, apesticide, an insecticide, or a fungicide to said growing medium. 18.The method of claim 12, further comprising adding seeds to saidcompressed growing medium.
 19. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising agitating said bulking agent and said non-ionic surfactant oremulsifier prior to said compression.
 20. A method of making a growingmedium including dehydrated coir having less than 18% moisture contentand a grind size between ⅛ inch mesh and 1 inch mesh, comprising:blending said dehydrated coir with a non-ionic surfactant or emulsifier;compressing said dehydrated coir and said non-ionic surfactant oremulsifier to a volume-to-volume ratio greater than about 5:1; andforming said compressed growing medium into an irregular shape; whereinsaid compressed dehydrated coir and said non-ionic surfactant oremulsifier forms a matrix, is free of a water soluble binder material,and maintains said irregular compressed shape until hydrated.